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Training and Education

Des Moines Area Community College

• Des Moines Area Community College programs serving wind energy production and manufacturing include the following:
  • Industrial Electro-Mechanical Technology A.A.S. degree
  • Computer Aided Design Technology A.A.S. degree diploma programs
  • Electronics Systems Servicing Technology A.A.S. degree
  • Electronics, Robotics & Automation A.A.S. degree
  • Pre-Engineering A.A and A.S. degrees
  • Tool & Diemaking A.A.S. degree
  • Machinist diploma
  • Welding
  • Auto Collision Technology A.A.S. degree program

Eastern Iowa Community College/Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center

• The Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center (ATEEC) is a national center that promotes and supports environmental technology education to address the needs of the national and global workforce.
• ATEEC is supported and funded by the National Science Foundation and is a partnership of the Hazardous Materials Training and Research Institute, the national Partnership for Environmental Technology Education, and the University of Northern Iowa. ATEEC has also received funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Iowa Lakes Community College

• The Wind Energy and Turbine Technology Program is the first in the state of Iowa. Since the number of wind turbines in the state of Iowa is growing quickly, Iowa Lakes Community College is working help meet the growing demand for skilled technicians who can install, maintain, and service modern wind turbines. The diploma program consists of the first three terms. To prepare for entry-level positions in the industry, you will receive training in construction, maintenance, and operation of wind turbines. Earning the Associate in Applied Science degree consists of completing the second year of the program. You will receive additional training on diagnosis of turbines, high tech-low voltage, computerized control and monitoring systems, composites and composite repair, data acquisition, and management of people. As a graduate of the two-year degree program, students qualify for entry-level positions and also have the skills and education background to become a wind turbine operator and potentially supervisor. Algebra skills are essential to successful completion of the program. Assessment scores must indicate readiness for Intermediate Algebra. If students aren't able to enroll in this course, they will be accepted into the Wind Energy General Studies Track until they can meet this requirement.

Iowa State University

• The Atmospheric Science and Agricultural Meteorology programs at Iowa State have substantial research, observational, and educational/training capacity for meeting the weather and climate needs of the wind-power industry. The programs offers the BS, MS, and PhD degrees in meteorology and agricultural meteorology and have strong research funding in fundamental and applied dynamic, synoptic, and boundary-layer meteorology. In addition, the Iowa Environmental Mesonet provides archive, analysis, and dissemination capabilities for interfacing with all major meteorological data collection networks in the state.
• The University recently launched a pilot Climate Science Initiative to bring together scientists and engineers from across the campus together with climate.

North Iowa Area Community College

• Electromechanical Systems Technology, in the Murphy Manufacturing Technology Center, is an Associate in Applied Science Degree Program designed to prepare the graduate for immediate employment as electronic, electrical, and mechanical maintenance personnel in manufacturing settings. Several courses in the Electromechanical Systems Technology Program are offered in an instructor-supervised/student-paced format. Through an articulation agreement with the University of Northern Iowa, graduates of the Electromechanical Systems Technology Program may continue their education by transferring to baccalaureate programs in such industrial technology fields as manufacturing, electromechanical systems, engineering technology, or supervision and management. Through proper course selection, students may tailor their course selection to meet Wind Industry standards to obtain a position as a wind turbine technician.

The University of Iowa

• The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering has launched an MS degree in industrial engineering with a graduate focus area in wind power management, designed to educate professionals for design, operations, and management of wind farms deployed in massive numbers all over the country. The graduates will be able to fully understand the system and management of wind power facilities and their interactions with other alternative and conventional power generation systems.
• There is a new course in Wind Power Management.
• An Energy Systems Design course is taught in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering.

University of Northern Iowa

• Curricula for a BS degree in Electrical and Information Engineering Technology and an MS degree in technology with emphasis in electrical engineering technology emphasizes applied renewable energy research and development, with many graduates now working in the wind industry and at other major manufacturers like GMT Corporation, TDS Automation, Rockwell Collins Inc., Waterloo Industries, and John Deere. Coursework for these programs includes solar and wind power systems, power electronics applications, advanced electrical power systems, microprocessors, electrical power and machinery, linear control systems, programmable logic controllers, and instrumentation and data acquisition. In addition, the MS degree in technology with emphasis in electrical engineering technology will provide advanced classes in wind power development, wind farm planning, optimization and energy conversion techniques.
• Students in the Manufacturing Technology Program with emphasis in design receive extensive training for careers in such areas as drive train and gear design. Information technology students in their senior year as well as MS and PhD students have the opportunity for practical training at John Deere Waterloo Works and Product Engineering Center (both located in Waterloo) in areas of drive train and gear box design through a very successful collaborative program.
• The Professional Science Masters program combines specialized scientific education with applied research and coursework in business to ensure that students are “field-ready” upon graduation. The wind energy industry could greatly benefit from PSM student projects and interns, as well as the potential to for these students to transition into employment in a number of areas within the wind energy industry. Currently offered PSM programs include Biotechnology, Industrial Mathematics, Applied Physics, Applied Chemistry or Biochemistry, and Ecosystem Management.

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Vision

The Iowa Alliance for Wind Innovation and Novel Development is a partnership with state and local governments, community colleges, Regents Universities, the private sector, and the federal government. It is designed to serve as a catalyst for the growth of wind energy, and to support and to facilitate the research and training needs of wind energy companies.